"Although the principles behind hypnotism, or soul-seizing techniques, are unclear, whether it's hypnosis or soul-seizing, it can only be performed when there is absolute trust between individuals.
In other words, the person who performed the soul-seizing technique on Jian Xing must have been someone close to him at Wolong Mountain Villa.
Perhaps due to his cross-dressing, Jian Xing was amiable to everyone in general, but he didn't have many truly close confidantes. Counting the Villa Master Long and Feng Wu Ying, there were only the Four Handsome Men of Wolong Mountain Villa.
Villa Master Long, Feng Wu Ying, and Lan Yi Shi were all assassination targets.
Although Gao Ming was the killer, given how much he treasured Jian Xing, it was impossible for him to have given Jian Xing such an extreme suggestion as self-destruction after the plot was exposed.
By elimination, only the third disciple Liu Chen Fei and the fourth disciple Su Mo remained.
Liu Chen Fei was indeed a strange person, but when Jian Xing attempted to assassinate me, the surprise on his face seemed genuine.
Therefore, the one who truly possessed the soul-seizing technique was most likely the fourth disciple, Su Mo, whose presence was barely noticeable.
Sister Ning Yue, I recall you mentioning that he had already left Wolong Mountain Villa, and you just happened to appear when Jian Xing was assassinating me..."
At this point, Lin Qing Ge narrowed her eyes slightly and stated with certainty:
"Sister Ning Yue, you must have known something all along, haven't you?"
Meeting those bright, determined eyes, Leng Ning Yue sighed softly:
"I do know some things, but it's not convenient to tell you yet.
You just need to remember that if you ever see that person again, stay as far away as possible."
"Alright."
Having already anticipated such an answer, Lin Qing Ge shrugged and flopped onto the bed, no longer pressing the matter.
In the evening.
Lin Qing Ge led everyone to a banquet. Upon entering the main hall, she saw Lian Cheng Yi with his arm bandaged.
"Young General Lian must be hungry. Villa Master Long, don't just stand there; everyone, please be seated so we can begin the meal!"
Lin Qing Ge familiarized herself with the introductions before taking the seat of honor.
...
Despite being in his own home, Long Xiao Tian felt a sense of being treated as a distinguished guest, and his mouth twitched violently. He then braced himself and walked to sit on the left side of Lord Lin.
Lian Cheng Yi, a step behind, was about to sit to Lord Lin's right when he felt a chilling sensation on the back of his neck. He instinctively turned his head.
Immediately after, he watched as the Lin Madam, who had broken his arm, walked past him and took the seat he had intended to occupy.
The throbbing pain in his arm made him swallow back the words that were about to escape his lips. Deciding to settle for the next best option, he had no choice but to turn his gaze to the second chair to Lord Lin's right.
He saw a small child with a protruding bottom huffing and puffing as they climbed onto the chair.
After the little child finally settled, they turned to look at him and said, "Brother, come sit here!" kuAiδugg
Perhaps it was the child's dazzling smile, or perhaps he was too lazy to move to the other side, but Lian Cheng Yi readily complied and sat down next to the child. Then, he heard the child say:
"Brother, are you a Great General?"
"I am a Young General."
"Wow, Brother is so amazing!"
Just as Lian Cheng Yi's lips began to curve into a smile, he heard the child exclaim again:
"Mother, this Young General brother is your defeated opponent, and Mother, you yielded the championship to Mo'er.
Rounding it up, isn't this Young General brother also Mo'er's defeated opponent?"
Lian Cheng Yi: ...
"But don't be discouraged, Young General brother. When Mo'er grows up, you and Mo'er can have another match, and Mo'er will definitely let you lose convincingly!"
"Enough, even eating can't shut your mouth!"
Lin Qing Ge picked up a serving of green vegetables and placed it in the child's bowl. Then, she smiled apologetically at Lian Cheng Yi, "Young General Lian, my son is unruly and loves to speak the plain truth without restraint all day. Please don't take offense!"
Lian Cheng Yi, who was already considering leaving before even touching his chopsticks: ...
After three cups of wine, Long Xiao Tian withdrew a booklet from his sleeve. "Lord Lin, this is a list of rare treasures collected in the warehouses of my villa.
If there is anything you fancy, please feel free to mention it. It serves as my humble gratitude for saving my life."
Lin Qing Ge smoothly accepted the booklet and said without blinking:
"As the Prefect of Fengtian Prefecture, solving cases is my duty.
However, if Villa Master Long insists on gifting all the rare treasures from your warehouses to me, I can only reluctantly agree to temporarily safeguard them for Villa Master Long.
But rest assured, Villa Master Long, I will treat these rare treasures with great care, and keeping them for thirty to fifty years should not be a problem."
Long Xiao Tian, feeling that he wouldn't live for thirty to fifty years, felt a vein throb joyfully on his forehead. Despite this, he still nodded kindly:
"If Lord Lin wants them all, it's not impossible, but the prerequisite is that Lord Lin returns the fragment of the treasure map to me."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qing Ge grinned and said, "Villa Master Long, have the effects of yesterday's medicine not worn off yet?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Lin. I am not experiencing any discomfort."
Hua Jin Rong, standing beside them, chuckled and unfurled her fan with a ‘swish.’ "Villa Master Long, what our Lord means is that you shouldn't entertain such foolish dreams.
Clearly, both the fragment of the treasure map and the treasures in your villa are already within my Lord's possession.
Yet you intend to forcefully snatch them from my Lord, which is like digging your own grave, or rather, treading on a tiger's head!"
As if finding the constantly fanning motion bothersome, Mu Rong Bai moved his bowl and chopsticks aside and nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Lord Lin could have simply taken them by force, but instead, he gave you the courtesy of temporary safekeeping, and didn't even charge you a management fee. He's being quite generous."
Long Xiao Tian, whose accumulated wealth of years had vanished like this, could no longer afford to feel heartbroken or regretful. He earnestly advised:
"Lord Lin, you may not be aware, but for years, a certain force has been secretly collecting fragments of the treasure map. Those people are elusive and ruthless, not an exaggeration to say they kill without batting an eye.
I chanced upon this fragment of the treasure map.
In the early days of establishing Wolong Mountain Villa, to add a touch of mystery, I made this treasure map fragment our sect's ultimate treasure.
However, earlier this year, I don't know which disciple leaked the information. To prevent Wolong Mountain Villa from falling into danger, I had no choice but to reveal this treasure map fragment to the public.
Lord Lin, for your safety and the safety of your family, I believe it would be best for you to hand over the fragment of the treasure map."
But Lin Qing Ge waved her hand dismissively, "Villa Master Long, you worry too much. The least skilled among my associates are martial arts champions. Why should we fear those wretched outlaws who hide in the shadows?"
The new martial arts champion, currently struggling with a chicken leg: ???
At this moment, Lian Cheng Yi slammed his wine cup down and got straight to the point:
"Lord Lin, Villa Master Long means for you to hand over the fragment of the treasure map to me, this general, for safekeeping!"